Xbox 720 Controller Sounds Familiar

Xbox World Magazine has unveiled a report that describes the controller for Microsoft’s heavily rumored Xbox 720 console and it sounds very…familiar.

According to XWM, the controller will be an HD screen surrounded by traditional 360 joysticks and buttons. If you think that sounds similar to the Wii-U controller then you’re not alone, because that’s just what it sounds like to us as well. While the technology seems like it could have some cool uses, one has to wonder just how much it will affect traditional gaming. The 360 controller is often regarded as nearly the epitome of video game controllers and the main thing that brings it that reputation is it’s shape and the way it fits into your hand. The two analog sticks fit perfectly for dual stick games and the triggers are extremely natural to use. Beyond that, it’s just very comfy to hold.

When we start looking at ways to fit an HD screen into a controller it almost always ends up large and blocky…just like the Wii-U controller. It’s not comfortable to hold and doesn’t feel as precise. Beyond that, costs are a major concern. We already know that the Wii-U will actually only use one “screen controller” per console. Will the Xbox 720 have the same limitation?

On the flipside, there are some potential exciting uses for a controller with a big, pretty screen in it. Microsoft wants us to imagine using the controller as a remote controller when watching TV or a web browser when you’re on the internet (which is ironic since the 360 doesn’t have a web browser at all). Further, they implant the idea of using it as a portable console when on the go, which signifies that Microsoft could make a real push into the mobile gaming arena next-gen.

With both Nintendo and Microsoft using controllers with screens in them, it seems almost a given that Sony will enable you to use the PS Vita as a controller for the PS4 if you should choose to.

Note for the dimwitted: The image above is a mock-up and not an actual shot of the Xbox 720 controller.

Blake February 10, 2012

StalkingReaptor February 10, 2012

And we were singin… bye bye miss american pie, drove my chevy to the levy but the levy was dry, and good ol’ boys drinkin whiskey and rye, singin this’ll be the day that fanboys die, singin this’ll be the day the xbox dies.

Xbox Fan February 11, 2012

SayWhat February 11, 2012

you gotta be kiddin me i guess ill be keeping my old xbox 360 if this is a handheld controller that looks ugly if yall need idesa ask your xbox live fans that supports yall instead of thinking of that dumb idea thats a throw away think of a new design we aint liking this one at all

Dustin February 11, 2012

Every time a new idea is introduced, everybody runs for the hills shouting about it being the end. MS will throw enough money at this, if its the truth, that all the little lemmings will be slobbering all over themselves to get one. You know I’m right. MS is a company with more money than the federal government, and its real, liquid money that they will spendapendspendspend to ensure ttheir console is a success. Look at the pile that is the 360. That thing was junk until they introduced the Jasper Chooser, but there everyone was, scrambling to replace ANOTHER failed Xbox. Then they get smart and after bleeding their customers dry, it’s “OMG ANOTHER NEW SKU, THIS TIME WITH BUILT IN WIFI! AND NO RED LIGHTS ANYWHERE SO YOU CANT POSSIBLY GET A RROD WITH THIS SYSTEM!” They finally release the product that should have been released in the beginning. So no, all of you that say this is the death of the Xbox, its nowhere near it. Although for the record, that controller concept art is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. And this is coming from someone that owned an Atari Jaguar for crying out loud. Google it, cuz it was before most of you all’s time I’d assume.

Yoyoyo April 2, 2012

Tourrea June 23, 2012

Ryan June 25, 2012

Guys look you can have this to go places and then when ur chilling at home you can play your console that would be beast i dont know what all of you are talking about but if its this im excited its just a regular controller but has a screen